Soccer / Premier League Netanya exits red zone, for now

Maccabi Netanya let a slim lead slip away but regained it in time to defeat visiting F.C. Ashdod 2-1 and move temporarily out of the red zone.

Maccabi Netanya let a slim lead slip away but regained it in time to defeat visiting F.C. Ashdod 2-1 and move temporarily out of the red zone. Netanya leapfrogged Bnei Sakhnin, which could not finish its match against Hapoel Ramat Gan, after rain flooded the pitch.

Ali Khatib scored a lightning second-minute goal for Netanya, which held until David Ravivo equalized in the 62nd minute. Undaunted, midfielder Kobi Dajani scored the winner for Netanya in the 75th minute.

In the other two relegation bracket matches, Hapoel Haifa ensured another season in the Premier League with a 3-1 defeat of Beitar Jeruaslem. Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Hapoel Acre played to a scoreless draw.

In the upper bracket, Kiryat Shmona shellacked Hapoel Tel Aviv 4-1 to further raise its morale. Kiryat Shmona now trails third-place Hapoel by just two points.